I want to thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to come and talk about a
the opportunity to come and talk about a
the opportunity to come and talk about a labor of love that has been going on
labor of love that has been going on
labor of love that has been going on with me from since 2011 roughly so I’m
with me from since 2011 roughly so I’m
with me from since 2011 roughly so I’m gonna talk about you know using
gonna talk about you know using
gonna talk about you know using different points of view to tell a
different points of view to tell a
different points of view to tell a powerful and engaging story all at the
powerful and engaging story all at the
powerful and engaging story all at the same time so I would like for you all to
same time so I would like for you all to
same time so I would like for you all to do one thing for me
do one thing for me
do one thing for me can you humor me and close your eyes for
can you humor me and close your eyes for
can you humor me and close your eyes for a minute I want to tell you just a story
a minute I want to tell you just a story
a minute I want to tell you just a story just very briefly so picture this
just very briefly so picture this
just very briefly so picture this there’s a young child who is in a
there’s a young child who is in a
there’s a young child who is in a hospital room the child has IVs in both
hospital room the child has IVs in both
hospital room the child has IVs in both arms there is a respirator that the
arms there is a respirator that the
arms there is a respirator that the child is on as well as a breathing
child is on as well as a breathing
child is on as well as a breathing machine that’s right next to the child
machine that’s right next to the child
machine that’s right next to the child now
now
now hospital rooms can be really really
hospital rooms can be really really
hospital rooms can be really really terrible and scary for young kids
terrible and scary for young kids
terrible and scary for young kids doctors come and go nurses come and go
doctors come and go nurses come and go
doctors come and go nurses come and go your parents can only stay in the room
your parents can only stay in the room
your parents can only stay in the room with you you know so many nights so they
with you you know so many nights so they
with you you know so many nights so they can be very lonely and scary but one day
can be very lonely and scary but one day
can be very lonely and scary but one day the parents bring the child a comic book
the parents bring the child a comic book
the parents bring the child a comic book from the gift store and the child’s
from the gift store and the child’s
from the gift store and the child’s world begins to open up the child can
world begins to open up the child can
world begins to open up the child can dream the child you know reads the comic
dream the child you know reads the comic
dream the child you know reads the comic over and over and over again you know
over and over and over again you know
over and over and over again you know there’s only so many TV shows that you
there’s only so many TV shows that you
there’s only so many TV shows that you can watch in the hospital especially
can watch in the hospital especially
can watch in the hospital especially back in those days there were only like
back in those days there were only like
back in those days there were only like three or four channels not like it is
three or four channels not like it is
three or four channels not like it is now so you can open up your eyes and if
now so you can open up your eyes and if
now so you can open up your eyes and if you haven’t figured it out yet I’m
you haven’t figured it out yet I’m
you haven’t figured it out yet I’m actually that child so I was a very
actually that child so I was a very
actually that child so I was a very sickly child I was asthmatic I used to
sickly child I was asthmatic I used to
sickly child I was asthmatic I used to be in the hospital all the time and one
be in the hospital all the time and one
be in the hospital all the time and one of the things that my parents did in
of the things that my parents did in
of the things that my parents did in order to alleviate my boredom my sadness
order to alleviate my boredom my sadness
order to alleviate my boredom my sadness from always being in the hospital was
from always being in the hospital was
from always being in the hospital was that they bought me a comic book x-men
that they bought me a comic book x-men
that they bought me a comic book x-men 163 to be precise about it and I read
163 to be precise about it and I read
163 to be precise about it and I read that thing over and over again my wife
that thing over and over again my wife
that thing over and over again my wife can attest to it I think I’ve showed it
can attest to it I think I’ve showed it
can attest to it I think I’ve showed it to her it’s got like masking tape on it
to her it’s got like masking tape on it
to her it’s got like masking tape on it like everything like that thing has been
like everything like that thing has been
like everything like that thing has been beat up seriously so that’s actually me
beat up seriously so that’s actually me
beat up seriously so that’s actually me you know I’ve loved you know comic books
you know I’ve loved you know comic books
you know I’ve loved you know comic books ever since then you know I probably have
ever since then you know I probably have
ever since then you know I probably have about three to five thousand somewhere
about three to five thousand somewhere
about three to five thousand somewhere in that neighborhood of comic books
in that neighborhood of comic books
in that neighborhood of comic books several thousands of dollars but always
several thousands of dollars but always
several thousands of dollars but always loved
loved
loved man as a child and like I said this is
man as a child and like I said this is
man as a child and like I said this is something that has not decreased at all
something that has not decreased at all
something that has not decreased at all you know that’s actually me standing
you know that’s actually me standing
you know that’s actually me standing next to one of the actual Batmobiles at
next to one of the actual Batmobiles at
next to one of the actual Batmobiles at San Diego comic-con in 2012 so
San Diego comic-con in 2012 so
San Diego comic-con in 2012 so furthermore I became a member of the
furthermore I became a member of the
furthermore I became a member of the Justice League you can see that back
Justice League you can see that back
Justice League you can see that back there so I’m there standing with Batman
there so I’m there standing with Batman
there so I’m there standing with Batman Superman and Wonder Woman and I also
Superman and Wonder Woman and I also
Superman and Wonder Woman and I also dabble in cosplay photography that’s a
dabble in cosplay photography that’s a
dabble in cosplay photography that’s a me and one of my friends mr. Dwight
me and one of my friends mr. Dwight
me and one of my friends mr. Dwight Dunbar who works downstairs for me so I
Dunbar who works downstairs for me so I
Dunbar who works downstairs for me so I get to have lunch with my Batman all the
get to have lunch with my Batman all the
get to have lunch with my Batman all the time actually
time actually
time actually okay so really stories are very
okay so really stories are very
okay so really stories are very important to human beings and they
important to human beings and they
important to human beings and they always have been in many ways we’ve
always have been in many ways we’ve
always have been in many ways we’ve enjoyed stories you know since before
enjoyed stories you know since before
enjoyed stories you know since before we’ve had written language we told
we’ve had written language we told
we’ve had written language we told stories with the way we moved we told
stories with the way we moved we told
stories with the way we moved we told stories orally we wrote stories down on
stories orally we wrote stories down on
stories orally we wrote stories down on cave writings you know we’ve moved on to
cave writings you know we’ve moved on to
cave writings you know we’ve moved on to the radio and the book we move to the
the radio and the book we move to the
the radio and the book we move to the movie we move to the television and now
movie we move to the television and now
movie we move to the television and now we have you know computers and now we
we have you know computers and now we
we have you know computers and now we have you know things ways that we can
have you know things ways that we can
have you know things ways that we can communicate on our cell phones but all
communicate on our cell phones but all
communicate on our cell phones but all the while human beings have always loved
the while human beings have always loved
the while human beings have always loved to tell stories it was probably our
to tell stories it was probably our
to tell stories it was probably our earliest and firm role for most form of
earliest and firm role for most form of
earliest and firm role for most form of entertainment and I would actually argue
entertainment and I would actually argue
entertainment and I would actually argue that it still is okay and storytelling
that it still is okay and storytelling
that it still is okay and storytelling has several critical functions within
has several critical functions within
has several critical functions within our society
our society
our society number one we find out about what it
number one we find out about what it
number one we find out about what it means to be a member of our society
means to be a member of our society
means to be a member of our society through telling of stories you know we
through telling of stories you know we
through telling of stories you know we find out about what’s right and what’s
find out about what’s right and what’s
find out about what’s right and what’s wrong in society by learning through
wrong in society by learning through
wrong in society by learning through stories you know be it you know stories
stories you know be it you know stories
stories you know be it you know stories from the Bible the Torah the Quran
from the Bible the Torah the Quran
from the Bible the Torah the Quran whatever we learn that way
whatever we learn that way
whatever we learn that way the other thing that stories do is that
the other thing that stories do is that
the other thing that stories do is that they educate us or I think about this so
they educate us or I think about this so
they educate us or I think about this so when you get told a story by an older
when you get told a story by an older
when you get told a story by an older family member about an ancestor or
family member about an ancestor or
family member about an ancestor or historical event that they actually
historical event that they actually
historical event that they actually witnessed it we actually tend to
witnessed it we actually tend to
witnessed it we actually tend to remember that a whole lot better than we
remember that a whole lot better than we
remember that a whole lot better than we do when we just read it in a book all
do when we just read it in a book all
do when we just read it in a book all right it sticks with us and you know you
right it sticks with us and you know you
right it sticks with us and you know you heard I was a former college professor
heard I was a former college professor
heard I was a former college professor and one of the things that I used to do
and one of the things that I used to do
and one of the things that I used to do is I would actually tell stories around
is I would actually tell stories around
is I would actually tell stories around certain
certain
certain certain chapters and certain concepts
certain chapters and certain concepts
certain chapters and certain concepts and I noticed that my students always
and I noticed that my students always
and I noticed that my students always remembered the material when I told
remembered the material when I told
remembered the material when I told stories because it was visual it was
stories because it was visual it was
stories because it was visual it was engaging and it stuck with them it was
engaging and it stuck with them it was
engaging and it stuck with them it was more than just a fact
more than just a fact
more than just a fact so again storytelling is very important
so again storytelling is very important
so again storytelling is very important we carry our stories everywhere we go so
we carry our stories everywhere we go so
we carry our stories everywhere we go so we use our stories to inspire us think
we use our stories to inspire us think
we use our stories to inspire us think about it when you’re throwing down when
about it when you’re throwing down when
about it when you’re throwing down when you’re filling out a lot of times you
you’re filling out a lot of times you
you’re filling out a lot of times you may call back to a story to a particular
may call back to a story to a particular
may call back to a story to a particular story some of us draw up on Batman
story some of us draw up on Batman
story some of us draw up on Batman you’ve seen those shirts like what would
you’ve seen those shirts like what would
you’ve seen those shirts like what would Batman do all right I actually think
Batman do all right I actually think
Batman do all right I actually think about that okay well how can I get out
about that okay well how can I get out
about that okay well how can I get out of this situation
of this situation
of this situation just playing I don’t try to get out of
just playing I don’t try to get out of
just playing I don’t try to get out of situations I would never do that but
situations I would never do that but
situations I would never do that but that’s what we do a lot of times so how
that’s what we do a lot of times so how
that’s what we do a lot of times so how to take your interest in comic books
to take your interest in comic books
to take your interest in comic books your interest in social science and your
your interest in social science and your
your interest in social science and your interest into Public Health and wanting
interest into Public Health and wanting
interest into Public Health and wanting to help and serve young people how do
to help and serve young people how do
to help and serve young people how do you mush all that together
you mush all that together
you mush all that together well I was really fortunate in that I’ve
well I was really fortunate in that I’ve
well I was really fortunate in that I’ve been able to really do that in creating
been able to really do that in creating
been able to really do that in creating a hiv/aids the the first or one of the
a hiv/aids the the first or one of the
a hiv/aids the the first or one of the first HIV AIDS STD focused motion comics
first HIV AIDS STD focused motion comics
first HIV AIDS STD focused motion comics for young people and as you can imagine
for young people and as you can imagine
for young people and as you can imagine you know when I talk to my colleagues at
you know when I talk to my colleagues at
you know when I talk to my colleagues at CDC and some of my other friends who
CDC and some of my other friends who
CDC and some of my other friends who don’t work in the government said I want
don’t work in the government said I want
don’t work in the government said I want to make this you know this comic book
to make this you know this comic book
to make this you know this comic book about HIV and STD for young people and
about HIV and STD for young people and
about HIV and STD for young people and you’re like what are you talking about
you’re like what are you talking about
you’re like what are you talking about me like that won’t work why would you
me like that won’t work why would you
me like that won’t work why would you even want to do it well there are a
even want to do it well there are a
even want to do it well there are a couple of different reasons why we need
couple of different reasons why we need
couple of different reasons why we need to do that sort of thing number one is
to do that sort of thing number one is
to do that sort of thing number one is that there are some issues with some of
that there are some issues with some of
that there are some issues with some of our traditional public health messaging
our traditional public health messaging
our traditional public health messaging so how many of you here in this room
so how many of you here in this room
so how many of you here in this room constantly go and read CDC FAQ sheets
constantly go and read CDC FAQ sheets
constantly go and read CDC FAQ sheets about all of our different diseases that
about all of our different diseases that
about all of our different diseases that are non you know Zika and Ebola I don’t
are non you know Zika and Ebola I don’t
are non you know Zika and Ebola I don’t see anybody in here raising their hand
see anybody in here raising their hand
see anybody in here raising their hand okay so we need to come up with way of
okay so we need to come up with way of
okay so we need to come up with way of reaching and educating young people you
reaching and educating young people you
reaching and educating young people you know we want to capture your attention
know we want to capture your attention
know we want to capture your attention number one because you have a lot of
number one because you have a lot of
number one because you have a lot of things that you can actually partake in
things that you can actually partake in
things that you can actually partake in you know you’ve got you know snapchat
you know you’ve got you know snapchat
you know you’ve got you know snapchat Facebook Twitter you’ve got all those
Facebook Twitter you’ve got all those
Facebook Twitter you’ve got all those different things you know when the
different things you know when the
different things you know when the golden age of television so we need to
golden age of television so we need to
golden age of television so we need to think about ways of
think about ways of
think about ways of reading engaging and fun public health
reading engaging and fun public health
reading engaging and fun public health content so I said okay this is what we
content so I said okay this is what we
content so I said okay this is what we can try to do we can try to draw up on
can try to do we can try to draw up on
can try to do we can try to draw up on some of the education entertainment
some of the education entertainment
some of the education entertainment research and create some sort of very
research and create some sort of very
research and create some sort of very entertaining but yet informative about
entertaining but yet informative about
entertaining but yet informative about HIV and STD concepts of emotion coming
HIV and STD concepts of emotion coming
HIV and STD concepts of emotion coming so here we go so again why use it well
so here we go so again why use it well
so here we go so again why use it well we happen to exist in the age of geek
we happen to exist in the age of geek
we happen to exist in the age of geek culture you know geek culture is on the
culture you know geek culture is on the
culture you know geek culture is on the rise you saw the Big Bang Theory we have
rise you saw the Big Bang Theory we have
rise you saw the Big Bang Theory we have big comic and science fiction fantasy
big comic and science fiction fantasy
big comic and science fiction fantasy conventions we’ve got New York comic-con
conventions we’ve got New York comic-con
conventions we’ve got New York comic-con San Diego comic-con and in Atlanta we
San Diego comic-con and in Atlanta we
San Diego comic-con and in Atlanta we have Dragon Con if you will we know that
have Dragon Con if you will we know that
have Dragon Con if you will we know that you know comic books actually have been
you know comic books actually have been
you know comic books actually have been the source material for a lot of the
the source material for a lot of the
the source material for a lot of the Hollywood blockbusters and video games
Hollywood blockbusters and video games
Hollywood blockbusters and video games recently you know it’s you know we’ve
recently you know it’s you know we’ve
recently you know it’s you know we’ve all seen the Avengers what a lot of
all seen the Avengers what a lot of
all seen the Avengers what a lot of folks have seen the Avengers Batman
folks have seen the Avengers Batman
folks have seen the Avengers Batman Superman all those different things
Superman all those different things
Superman all those different things whether or not you know you partake in
whether or not you know you partake in
whether or not you know you partake in those sort of things I would really say
those sort of things I would really say
those sort of things I would really say that now comics and geek culture are a
that now comics and geek culture are a
that now comics and geek culture are a lot more mainstream culminating with
lot more mainstream culminating with
lot more mainstream culminating with these two particular graphic novels
these two particular graphic novels
these two particular graphic novels which is a more of an adult form of
which is a more of an adult form of
which is a more of an adult form of consuming comic book content mouths
consuming comic book content mouths
consuming comic book content mouths which actually tells the story of Jews
which actually tells the story of Jews
which actually tells the story of Jews in Nazi Germany and Watchmen that was
in Nazi Germany and Watchmen that was
in Nazi Germany and Watchmen that was actually adapted into a film a few years
actually adapted into a film a few years
actually adapted into a film a few years ago but was actually on the New York
ago but was actually on the New York
ago but was actually on the New York Times bestseller list for a number of
Times bestseller list for a number of
Times bestseller list for a number of weeks it was a more mature way of
weeks it was a more mature way of
weeks it was a more mature way of storytelling a true graphic novel so I
storytelling a true graphic novel so I
storytelling a true graphic novel so I think it’s safe to say that comics and
think it’s safe to say that comics and
think it’s safe to say that comics and comic related media have really arrived
comic related media have really arrived
comic related media have really arrived in terms of their ability to be accepted
in terms of their ability to be accepted
in terms of their ability to be accepted by the mainstream so the other important
by the mainstream so the other important
by the mainstream so the other important thing and this is my looking-glass
thing and this is my looking-glass
thing and this is my looking-glass another important thing is that when we
another important thing is that when we
another important thing is that when we when we tell stories it allows us to
when we tell stories it allows us to
when we tell stories it allows us to actually go into the mind of someone
actually go into the mind of someone
actually go into the mind of someone else and to try their perspective to see
else and to try their perspective to see
else and to try their perspective to see what motivates them why do they do the
what motivates them why do they do the
what motivates them why do they do the things that they do it makes us a lot
things that they do it makes us a lot
things that they do it makes us a lot more sympathetic or at the very least it
more sympathetic or at the very least it
more sympathetic or at the very least it just makes us understand their true
just makes us understand their true
just makes us understand their true motivations so one of the things that we
motivations so one of the things that we
motivations so one of the things that we wanted to do with this motion comic
wanted to do with this motion comic
wanted to do with this motion comic that we wanted to actually have people
that we wanted to actually have people
that we wanted to actually have people learn through what is called
learn through what is called
learn through what is called transportation theory now transportation
transportation theory now transportation
transportation theory now transportation theory is a narrative persuasion
theory is a narrative persuasion
theory is a narrative persuasion technique where the receiver of the
technique where the receiver of the
technique where the receiver of the story is transported to a new or
story is transported to a new or
story is transported to a new or sometimes familiar or unfamiliar setting
sometimes familiar or unfamiliar setting
sometimes familiar or unfamiliar setting or situation and the traveler learns
or situation and the traveler learns
or situation and the traveler learns through the experience of their journey
through the experience of their journey
through the experience of their journey and it allows them to have a safe but
and it allows them to have a safe but
and it allows them to have a safe but vicarious experience if you will so that
vicarious experience if you will so that
vicarious experience if you will so that is transportation theory so what we want
is transportation theory so what we want
is transportation theory so what we want to do is to be able to let you have a
to do is to be able to let you have a
to do is to be able to let you have a simulation if you will of a given
simulation if you will of a given
simulation if you will of a given situations relating to public health HIV
situations relating to public health HIV
situations relating to public health HIV and STDs and then hopefully you will
and STDs and then hopefully you will
and STDs and then hopefully you will actually learn because you’re you’re
actually learn because you’re you’re
actually learn because you’re you’re learning through someone’s eyes that are
learning through someone’s eyes that are
learning through someone’s eyes that are similar to yours so how do we actually
similar to yours so how do we actually
similar to yours so how do we actually do that so you know obviously we you
do that so you know obviously we you
do that so you know obviously we you know I’m was in my 30s when I started
know I’m was in my 30s when I started
know I’m was in my 30s when I started this that was so far away from our
this that was so far away from our
this that was so far away from our target age group of 15 to 24 there was
target age group of 15 to 24 there was
target age group of 15 to 24 there was no way I could speak for that group you
no way I could speak for that group you
no way I could speak for that group you know it probably would have been an
know it probably would have been an
know it probably would have been an ultimate disaster had that happened so
ultimate disaster had that happened so
ultimate disaster had that happened so what we did is we wanted to engage the
what we did is we wanted to engage the
what we did is we wanted to engage the target audience because we wanted to
target audience because we wanted to
target audience because we wanted to help young people tell us what they
help young people tell us what they
help young people tell us what they didn’t know about HIV and STDs and a lot
didn’t know about HIV and STDs and a lot
didn’t know about HIV and STDs and a lot of sexual health matters such that we
of sexual health matters such that we
of sexual health matters such that we could actually educate them so we were
could actually educate them so we were
could actually educate them so we were actually wanting to have them solve the
actually wanting to have them solve the
actually wanting to have them solve the solve the problem for us so the audience
solve the problem for us so the audience
solve the problem for us so the audience really knows you know what they need to
really knows you know what they need to
really knows you know what they need to know more about what they will accept so
know more about what they will accept so
know more about what they will accept so is the HIV STD motion comic actually
is the HIV STD motion comic actually
is the HIV STD motion comic actually something that they would find viable
something that they would find viable
something that they would find viable and would they actually find it
and would they actually find it
and would they actually find it entertaining so what we did is we went
entertaining so what we did is we went
entertaining so what we did is we went around the country and got college
around the country and got college
around the country and got college students we got people who are in high
students we got people who are in high
students we got people who are in high school we use Craigslist we use Facebook
school we use Craigslist we use Facebook
school we use Craigslist we use Facebook we did all kinds of recruitment
we did all kinds of recruitment
we did all kinds of recruitment strategies we went far and wide across
strategies we went far and wide across
strategies we went far and wide across the United States you went out to
the United States you went out to
the United States you went out to California we did focus groups in
California we did focus groups in
California we did focus groups in Atlanta we did focus groups in
Atlanta we did focus groups in
Atlanta we did focus groups in Washington DC New York City and Miami
Washington DC New York City and Miami
Washington DC New York City and Miami and we just asked them we said what do
and we just asked them we said what do
and we just asked them we said what do you know about HIV and STD and it was
you know about HIV and STD and it was
you know about HIV and STD and it was very very you know shocking what we
very very you know shocking what we
very very you know shocking what we learned that they didn’t know like for
learned that they didn’t know like for
learned that they didn’t know like for example we learned that there were a lot
example we learned that there were a lot
example we learned that there were a lot of kids in the United States who think
of kids in the United States who think
of kids in the United States who think that they have to be 18 to buy a condom
that they have to be 18 to buy a condom
that they have to be 18 to buy a condom and I know that may sound very strange
and I know that may sound very strange
and I know that may sound very strange but if you think about it in some places
but if you think about it in some places
but if you think about it in some places where are condoms kept they’re kept
where are condoms kept they’re kept
where are condoms kept they’re kept behind a counter the same way that
behind a counter the same way that
behind a counter the same way that alcohol is or cigarettes they’re kept
alcohol is or cigarettes they’re kept
alcohol is or cigarettes they’re kept behind a lock-and-key
behind a lock-and-key
behind a lock-and-key so clearly there’s a lot of things that
so clearly there’s a lot of things that
so clearly there’s a lot of things that we actually need to learn the other
we actually need to learn the other
we actually need to learn the other thing that we did when we did this focus
thing that we did when we did this focus
thing that we did when we did this focus groups is that we wanted to know what
groups is that we wanted to know what
groups is that we wanted to know what were their entertainment preferences how
were their entertainment preferences how
were their entertainment preferences how would they actually like to learn this
would they actually like to learn this
would they actually like to learn this material so we asked them we said okay
material so we asked them we said okay
material so we asked them we said okay where do you want the story to be said
where do you want the story to be said
where do you want the story to be said and now me being the big comic geek I
and now me being the big comic geek I
and now me being the big comic geek I was like okay I want this to be
was like okay I want this to be
was like okay I want this to be superheroes please say superheroes
superheroes please say superheroes
superheroes please say superheroes please say superheroes and they didn’t
please say superheroes and they didn’t
please say superheroes and they didn’t say superheroes but that was okay they
say superheroes but that was okay they
say superheroes but that was okay they actually said what we want to do is we
actually said what we want to do is we
actually said what we want to do is we want to have something consent in
want to have something consent in
want to have something consent in conventional reality that is somewhat of
conventional reality that is somewhat of
conventional reality that is somewhat of a melodrama but it’s an ensemble cast
a melodrama but it’s an ensemble cast
a melodrama but it’s an ensemble cast where we’re all different races and
where we’re all different races and
where we’re all different races and ethnicities and genders are represented
ethnicities and genders are represented
ethnicities and genders are represented so they wanted something like 902
so they wanted something like 902
so they wanted something like 902 unknowns and that that’s actually what
unknowns and that that’s actually what
unknowns and that that’s actually what they said or better yet some of y’all
they said or better yet some of y’all
they said or better yet some of y’all remember this one Degrassi high that was
remember this one Degrassi high that was
remember this one Degrassi high that was the other one they said that they wanted
the other one they said that they wanted
the other one they said that they wanted so that’s what we actually began to do
so that’s what we actually began to do
so that’s what we actually began to do so we agreed you know early on that we
so we agreed you know early on that we
so we agreed you know early on that we wanted young people in our study to
wanted young people in our study to
wanted young people in our study to actually have say over the look sound
actually have say over the look sound
actually have say over the look sound and feel of this particular intervention
and feel of this particular intervention
and feel of this particular intervention otherwise they won’t accept it people
otherwise they won’t accept it people
otherwise they won’t accept it people will just say oh you know it looks to
will just say oh you know it looks to
will just say oh you know it looks to kitty you know it looks to something and
kitty you know it looks to something and
kitty you know it looks to something and I don’t really like it so we said okay
I don’t really like it so we said okay
I don’t really like it so we said okay we’ll let you choose the names of this
we’ll let you choose the names of this
we’ll let you choose the names of this particular characters in this series
particular characters in this series
particular characters in this series we’ll let you choose the art style so
we’ll let you choose the art style so
we’ll let you choose the art style so what you see behind me is three
what you see behind me is three
what you see behind me is three different art styles that we actually
different art styles that we actually
different art styles that we actually showed for one particular character so
showed for one particular character so
showed for one particular character so the first style is more of a traditional
the first style is more of a traditional
the first style is more of a traditional American cartoon style the second style
American cartoon style the second style
American cartoon style the second style which is a B in the middle is more of a
which is a B in the middle is more of a
which is a B in the middle is more of a Western realistic style and some of you
Western realistic style and some of you
Western realistic style and some of you may recognize C it’s more of a anime
may recognize C it’s more of a anime
may recognize C it’s more of a anime manga kind of Eastern a Japanese style
manga kind of Eastern a Japanese style
manga kind of Eastern a Japanese style of artwork and we said okay tell us what
of artwork and we said okay tell us what
of artwork and we said okay tell us what you like you know which style do you
you like you know which style do you
you like you know which style do you like and they said okay we
like and they said okay we
like and they said okay we overwhelmingly like b-but we do like
overwhelmingly like b-but we do like
overwhelmingly like b-but we do like some elements of the different
some elements of the different
some elements of the different characters and this was across the board
characters and this was across the board
characters and this was across the board they all said that they wanted that so
they all said that they wanted that so
they all said that they wanted that so what we did is we said okay tell us this
what we did is we said okay tell us this
what we did is we said okay tell us this character’s name as well and we combined
character’s name as well and we combined
character’s name as well and we combined it to get this character summer who
it to get this character summer who
it to get this character summer who you’ll meet a little bit at the end of
you’ll meet a little bit at the end of
you’ll meet a little bit at the end of the presentation who’s our heterosexual
the presentation who’s our heterosexual
the presentation who’s our heterosexual african-american male so I’m sorry
african-american male so I’m sorry
african-american male so I’m sorry female rather heterosexual African
female rather heterosexual African
female rather heterosexual African American female so with that we also let
American female so with that we also let
American female so with that we also let them have a say in the script
them have a say in the script
them have a say in the script development you know we actually once we
development you know we actually once we
development you know we actually once we got the information from them we said
got the information from them we said
got the information from them we said alright we’re going to go ahead and
alright we’re going to go ahead and
alright we’re going to go ahead and write this script that will hopefully
write this script that will hopefully
write this script that will hopefully inform you and we gave them key scenes
inform you and we gave them key scenes
inform you and we gave them key scenes to actually read and once they read
to actually read and once they read
to actually read and once they read those scenes out aloud in the focus
those scenes out aloud in the focus
those scenes out aloud in the focus groups around the table we had the
groups around the table we had the
groups around the table we had the participants rate the script element so
participants rate the script element so
participants rate the script element so we had elements of humor so did you like
we had elements of humor so did you like
we had elements of humor so did you like the humor did you feel that it was real
the humor did you feel that it was real
the humor did you feel that it was real so what was the level of realism what
so what was the level of realism what
so what was the level of realism what was the tone of the drama was it too
was the tone of the drama was it too
was the tone of the drama was it too dramatic not dramatic enough was the
dramatic not dramatic enough was the
dramatic not dramatic enough was the dialogue good were these terms and ways
dialogue good were these terms and ways
dialogue good were these terms and ways that you all speak such that it is real
that you all speak such that it is real
that you all speak such that it is real and then of course the cheese factor all
and then of course the cheese factor all
and then of course the cheese factor all right and that was kind of one that was
right and that was kind of one that was
right and that was kind of one that was hard to quantify but it’s very important
hard to quantify but it’s very important
hard to quantify but it’s very important because we all have have heard cheesy
because we all have have heard cheesy
because we all have have heard cheesy things you know we’ve seen cheesy things
things you know we’ve seen cheesy things
things you know we’ve seen cheesy things and I bet you a lot of you know some
and I bet you a lot of you know some
and I bet you a lot of you know some cheesy people all right everybody knows
cheesy people all right everybody knows
cheesy people all right everybody knows cheesy people so in this case the cheese
cheesy people so in this case the cheese
cheesy people so in this case the cheese factor was how corny or how preachy was
factor was how corny or how preachy was
factor was how corny or how preachy was it so how much did it sound like a PSA
it so how much did it sound like a PSA
it so how much did it sound like a PSA so this is one of our actual script
so this is one of our actual script
so this is one of our actual script pages that we did let them read so they
pages that we did let them read so they
pages that we did let them read so they gave us feedback and they were very
gave us feedback and they were very
gave us feedback and they were very honest we told them we said okay in
honest we told them we said okay in
honest we told them we said okay in order for us to really do this right you
order for us to really do this right you
order for us to really do this right you have to be brutally honest don’t worry
have to be brutally honest don’t worry
have to be brutally honest don’t worry about hurting our feelings and so what
about hurting our feelings and so what
about hurting our feelings and so what they said was in some cases okay this is
they said was in some cases okay this is
they said was in some cases okay this is right this is really good but you need
right this is really good but you need
right this is really good but you need to work a little bit more on the
to work a little bit more on the
to work a little bit more on the dialogue or this is unrealistic no one
dialogue or this is unrealistic no one
dialogue or this is unrealistic no one would ever say this particular thing
would ever say this particular thing
would ever say this particular thing this way or explain it this way the
this way or explain it this way the
this way or explain it this way the other thing about
other thing about
other thing about what we did is that they they wanted to
what we did is that they they wanted to
what we did is that they they wanted to make sure again that we were completely
make sure again that we were completely
make sure again that we were completely real in our assessment of what was going
real in our assessment of what was going
real in our assessment of what was going on in the story some of the participants
on in the story some of the participants
on in the story some of the participants actually said these are things that
actually said these are things that
actually said these are things that actually happened to me so that’s our
actually happened to me so that’s our
actually happened to me so that’s our script page and we’ll move on to show
script page and we’ll move on to show
script page and we’ll move on to show you one more thing so once we got all
you one more thing so once we got all
you one more thing so once we got all that together this was one of our actual
that together this was one of our actual
that together this was one of our actual comic pages so we made an actual 32 page
comic pages so we made an actual 32 page
comic pages so we made an actual 32 page comic book that was packed full of a lot
comic book that was packed full of a lot
comic book that was packed full of a lot of different information this is a
of different information this is a
of different information this is a character in the red this is a young man
character in the red this is a young man
character in the red this is a young man named Mark and you’ve already met summer
named Mark and you’ve already met summer
named Mark and you’ve already met summer she’s the young lady in there they’re
she’s the young lady in there they’re
she’s the young lady in there they’re kind of trying to date and summer has
kind of trying to date and summer has
kind of trying to date and summer has something that she has been struggling
something that she has been struggling
something that she has been struggling with through the story that she actually
with through the story that she actually
with through the story that she actually wants to tell mark so I’ll let them take
wants to tell mark so I’ll let them take
wants to tell mark so I’ll let them take it away for us
we seem to be having a little bit of
we seem to be having a little bit of technical difficulty here
sorry okay there we go see what have a
sorry okay there we go see what have a lot on your mind I feel bad about
lot on your mind I feel bad about
lot on your mind I feel bad about pressuring you into coming out with me
pressuring you into coming out with me
pressuring you into coming out with me no don’t feel bad I just it’s just that
no don’t feel bad I just it’s just that
no don’t feel bad I just it’s just that I have something I want need to tell you
I have something I want need to tell you
I have something I want need to tell you okay I like you good news so far please
okay I like you good news so far please
okay I like you good news so far please let me get through this sorry
let me get through this sorry
let me get through this sorry I like you you’ve only known me for a
I like you you’ve only known me for a
I like you you’ve only known me for a few days but understand when I say
few days but understand when I say
few days but understand when I say something like that it is a big deal for
something like that it is a big deal for
something like that it is a big deal for me
me
me me and Justin poke fun at me because I
me and Justin poke fun at me because I
me and Justin poke fun at me because I tend to not let people in it keep my
tend to not let people in it keep my
tend to not let people in it keep my guard up most of the time so I probably
guard up most of the time so I probably
guard up most of the time so I probably miss out on some good things and I know
miss out on some good things and I know
miss out on some good things and I know that I get it but acting this way is
that I get it but acting this way is
that I get it but acting this way is it’s just who I am and at the end of the
it’s just who I am and at the end of the
it’s just who I am and at the end of the day I have to be Who I am right so if I
day I have to be Who I am right so if I
day I have to be Who I am right so if I like you and you like me then I have to
like you and you like me then I have to
like you and you like me then I have to tell you something that I don’t tend to
tell you something that I don’t tend to
tell you something that I don’t tend to tell anyone if I don’t have to I told
tell anyone if I don’t have to I told
tell anyone if I don’t have to I told you that my mom died and that she was
you that my mom died and that she was
you that my mom died and that she was sick she contracted HIV and then she got
sick she contracted HIV and then she got
sick she contracted HIV and then she got pregnant with me so does that mean I’m
pregnant with me so does that mean I’m
pregnant with me so does that mean I’m HIV positive
aren’t you going to say something what
aren’t you going to say something what would you have to say say something say
would you have to say say something say
would you have to say say something say anything
anything
anything throw your drink in my face anything is
throw your drink in my face anything is
throw your drink in my face anything is better than silence okay I to be
better than silence okay I to be
better than silence okay I to be continued
continued
continued ah right so that was actually a
ah right so that was actually a
ah right so that was actually a cliffhanger that we use in our focus
cliffhanger that we use in our focus
cliffhanger that we use in our focus groups and much like you all may be
groups and much like you all may be
groups and much like you all may be thinking right now a lot of our
thinking right now a lot of our
thinking right now a lot of our participants were like what happens next
participants were like what happens next
participants were like what happens next you know they were really upset they’re
you know they were really upset they’re
you know they were really upset they’re like how are you gonna bring us here and
like how are you gonna bring us here and
like how are you gonna bring us here and not complete this story and we said okay
not complete this story and we said okay
not complete this story and we said okay we want to know from you
we want to know from you
we want to know from you realistically what should happen next in
realistically what should happen next in
realistically what should happen next in the story so we actually did the focus
the story so we actually did the focus
the story so we actually did the focus groups and luckily for you we did
groups and luckily for you we did
groups and luckily for you we did continue it and you can find out what
continue it and you can find out what
continue it and you can find out what happens in the story we’re actually able
happens in the story we’re actually able
happens in the story we’re actually able to make eight roughly seven to eight
to make eight roughly seven to eight
to make eight roughly seven to eight episodes and you can go to CDC or in
episodes and you can go to CDC or in
episodes and you can go to CDC or in Penn cdc.gov
Penn cdc.gov
Penn cdc.gov ford slash cabbie chronicles and learn a
ford slash cabbie chronicles and learn a
ford slash cabbie chronicles and learn a little bit more about the series so it’s
little bit more about the series so it’s
little bit more about the series so it’s live you can go right now and watch it I
live you can go right now and watch it I
live you can go right now and watch it I just want to close with a quote and what
just want to close with a quote and what
just want to close with a quote and what we really tried to do here is to take
we really tried to do here is to take
we really tried to do here is to take take information that we gained from
take information that we gained from
take information that we gained from subjects and actually turn it into art
subjects and actually turn it into art
subjects and actually turn it into art so artist storytelling and we need to
so artist storytelling and we need to
so artist storytelling and we need to tell stories to pass along ideas and
tell stories to pass along ideas and
tell stories to pass along ideas and information and then try to make sense
information and then try to make sense
information and then try to make sense out of all this chaos and sometimes when
out of all this chaos and sometimes when
out of all this chaos and sometimes when you get a really good artist and a
you get a really good artist and a
you get a really good artist and a compelling story you can achieve that
compelling story you can achieve that
compelling story you can achieve that that that thing that’s impossible which
that that thing that’s impossible which
that that thing that’s impossible which is entering into the consciousness of
is entering into the consciousness of
is entering into the consciousness of another human being so what we try to do
another human being so what we try to do
another human being so what we try to do with this is to enter into other
with this is to enter into other
with this is to enter into other people’s consciousness and educate them
people’s consciousness and educate them
people’s consciousness and educate them about public health while being
about public health while being
about public health while being entertaining at the same time so thank
entertaining at the same time so thank
entertaining at the same time so thank you
”
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